As the debate over the lifting of sanctions against zimbabwe rages on, European Union diplomats today reportedly told reporters that the restrictions will stay only on president Mugabe.

The diplomats said EU foreign ministers are expected to lift a ten-year ban on the provision of development aid to the Zimbabwean government.

According to an online news source, eubusiness ministers are also due to signal their readiness to back a “significant” slimming down of asset freeze and travel ban list later this year, on condition that a pending referendum on a new constitution is successfully concluded.